A native of Portlaoise, William Aird is a dairy farmer and a dedicated and enthusiastic politician, who has served the people of Portlaoise since 1979.

He is active in all community matters and lists mayor of Portlaoise Town Council, chairperson of Portlaoise Leisure Centre, former Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, member of the Health Service Executive and member of Farming and Sporting Organisations among his many achievements.

Willie has been on the board of Portlaoise Enterprise Centre since 2009 and is Leas-Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council for 2017-18.

Pat is the Head of Information Systems in Laois County Council and has previously worked in Wexford and Carlow County Councils.

He has worked in both Public and Private sector roles but always in the area of IT.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in computer engineering from the University of Limerick and has worked in the banking and telecommunications sector for large multinationals prior to joining Carlow County Council in 2008.

Evelyn Reddin started her career in Laois County Council where she worked in a number of different sections before moving to the Local Enterprise Office.

She was appointed Head of Enterprise in 2014 and her role is to help drive the development of local enterprise within the County.

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) supports business start-ups and work to increase the job potential of new and existing micro and small businesses with information, advice, training, mentoring, seminars, and selective financial support.

The LEO plays a key role in supporting entrepreneurship and enterprise development along with other key stakeholders in the county to ensure a more co-ordinated approach to enterprise support.

Eoin O’Brien is the Lifelong Learning Manager at the South East Technological University Carlow.

He plays a key role in all aspects of the off-campus activities of the Faculty of Lifelong Learning. This includes the management of the Springboard+ programme portfolio at the Institute. He has a keen interest in education and learning.

Eoin has just over 20 years’ experience in the sales/marketing domain predominately within the Higher Education sector. He has studied with UCD, IPA, The Open University, SETU Carlow and is currently undertaking his PhD with Lancaster University.

Eoin has a keen interest in sport and is actively involved with Ballyroan Abbey GAA club, Abbeyleix Athletic soccer club and Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District Athletics club.

John Joe has been on the board of Portlaoise Enterprise Centre since 2019. He is married to Mary and has two children. Living in Abbeyleix, John Joe is self-employed and his business, ‘John Joe’s Bits ‘n’ Bobs,’ is based in Mountrath.

John Joe has been a public representative for twenty-three years representing the Portlaoise Municipal District.

He has also been active in local matters in Abbeyleix town. In his spare time John Joe enjoys all sporting activities, keeping active in community matters and walking especially spending time at the award winning Abbeyleix Bog walk.

Barry was co-opted to Laois County Council in February 2022 representing the Portlaoise Municipal district. He has an honours degree in Construction Economics & Management from Dublin Institute of Technology and is currently self-employed as a freelance Quantity Surveyor & BER Assessor. Over a 20 year + career Barry has gained experience in construction management & construction administration within the public and private sectors.

Barry is a member of Laois/Offaly E.T.B., Chairman of Ballyroan Abbey Juvenile Club & Vice Chairman of Ballyroan Abbey adult club. He is a member of facilities development committee.

Barry has also been an active member of many other community groups and continues to support and encourage active participation in these organisations.
Hobbies Include: GAA, Cycling and Hiking and in his remaining spare time Barry is currently involved in coaching underage teams with Ballyroan Bluestars Basketball & Ballyroan Abbey GAA

Sandra Redden is Managing Director and Co-Owner of Mochua Print and Design which has its manufacturing plant in Clonminam Business Park, (Opp Telfords) and its sales office in Newbridge where Sandra hails from. She has lived in Portlaoise for a number of years and attends numerous local events and supports local business events. Mochua Print & Design has also been a supporter of The Laois GAA awards for a number of years now.

A graduate of the National College of Ireland with a degree in business studies. Sandra previously worked in Logistics & Warehousing/Distribution, chemical and white goods for both Irish and Multinational Companies. Passionate about GAA and sports, she believes in mentoring programmes for students both secondary and mature students.  Mochua Print & Design are proud members of ISME, Laois Chamber of Commerce, BNI and Network Ireland.